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Political situation in Turkey
Hundreds arrested at Istanbul demonstration

At least 550 people have been arrested during an anti-regime demonstration in connection with a May Day march in Istanbul. This is reported by AFP, which refers to the legal group CHD.

Riot police surrounded the demonstrators and blocked off the square that was the target of the demonstration. The police also fired tear gas at the demonstrators.

“Those in power already talk 365 days a year, so let workers talk about the difficulties we face at least one day a year,” says Erkan Bas, chairman of the Turkish Workers' Party, on the opposition channel HALK TV.

Turkish authorities have not yet commented on the information.

Political situation in Ethiopia
Ethiopia heads for least contested election ever

Ethiopia goes to the polls on June 1 in what is described as one of the country's least contested elections since the multi-party system was introduced in 1991, AFP reports.

23 parties are running in the election, but the vast majority are close to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party. In the Tigray region and parts of Amhara, where the opposition has strong support, voting will not be held, citing the security situation.

Abiy won a landslide victory in the 2021 election, grabbing 485 of the 502 seats. He was previously described as a liberal force, but over time his rule has become increasingly authoritarian.

Political situation in Mali
Unrest in Mali: Our military is unable to protect us

The situation is tense in and around the Malian capital Bamako after the jihadist militia group JNIM has begun blocking the roads into the city.

– Our military is unable to protect us, how will we be able to get home now? says a mother of two who is stranded outside the capital after visiting her parents.

A man testifies to The Guardian that he has not dared to leave his house in one of the Bamako suburbs since Saturday. He does not believe that the jihadists are numerous enough to occupy the city, but believes that they can continue to carry out raids and control who and what is allowed in and out.

– They are in control. They have prepared for this, he says.

Jihadists begin blockade of Mali's capital

The jihadist militia JNIM in Mali has begun a blockade of the roads leading to the capital Bamako, AFP reports.

“The only exception is for those who are already in Bamako and who want to leave the city,” a spokesman told AFP.

Late Thursday night, the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM called on military and religious leaders, among others, to join a united front to overthrow the ruling military junta. It is not yet clear whether any groups have accepted the invitation.